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Archived Reviews
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This latest Dismantled EP proves that you can never predict what Gary Zon is going to do next. The strongly FLA-influenced eponymous debut album & the haunting soundscapes of the follow-up "Post Nuclear" were both very different beasts & now we he plumps for an almost funky EBM/industrial sound where he seemingly tries his best to sound like Trent Reznor. In fact, the overall sound should appeal to NIN fans, especially the superb & instantly memorable title track which proves that whatever Zon decides to do he knows how to do it well, being a palpable hit & a surefire dancefloor smash. Both Xian & Psyclon Nine add further flesh to the original by incorporating some very tasty effects on their respective remixes, making each one worthwhile in its own right, in total contrast to the lacklustre remixes of "Swarm", one of the best tracks from "Post Nuclear". I was initially intrigued as to what Cardinal Real (whoever he/she/they is/are), Haujobb & especially Wumpscut (with Rudy R. Surely being just the person to make the most of this track's haunting atmospherics & harder industrial motifs?) would make of this excellent piece so the fact that only Haujobb's version impresses, reworking the piece into a completely new style is a real missed opportunity. None of the others do themselves any favours at all & it's definately a case of the less said the better where the dancey 'easy to swallow' mix, which I was really looking forward to hearing, is concerned. Still, the other unreleased tracks, in the shape of the solid & dancey instrumental "The Blind" & the slow but gutsy "War Dream", which builds up from its quiet opening into one almighty crescendo, more than make up for this. Furthermore, the cover of Paula Abdul's "Straight Up" proves that he doesn't take himself too seriously & while its inclusion is likely to prove a major eyebrow-raiser, but it's fun & it works well enough. I wonder if this is going to be his light-hearted encore at future gigs? I for one, wouldn't complain if it was! |
